Commissioners to consider creek proposal

$35K for trout stream project

April 13, 2013

NEW ULM - Brown County commissioners will consider an engineering firm's $35,280 proposal Tuesday, to assist with the implementation of the County's recent grant agreement for habitat improvements and stream bank stabilization for about two miles of Spring Creek.

Wenck Associates, Inc. of Maple Plain previously completed a preliminary design of proposed improvements for the Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) grant application submitted last September. The firm will do field investigation, design finalization, issue construction plans and specifications and provide construction assistance, according to the Request for Board Action (RBA).

Wenck's cost estimate includes $5,350 for field investigation and data collection, $5,000 for final engineering design, and $24,880 for construction assistance, according to the RBA.

The company provided $4,656.50 in pro-bono (work done free of charge) as part of the previous scope. An additional $350 in time and expenses will be provided pro-bono as part of the current scope.

Wenck will not exceed the authorized budget for the scope of services unless approved otherwise prior to proceeding, according to the RBA. The $355,150 project includes a $321,972 state grant and $33,178 in county matching funds, $21,270 of which are used for grand and project administration costs. The firm would receive $289,000 for stream bank stabilization work, according to the RBA.

The project is scheduled to begin May 20, 2013 and be completed within 80 working days. The Comfrey portion must be brought back to at least a gravel surface within 30 days.

Award surface rehabilitation projects on CSAH 3, 11 and 19. Lone bidder is Midstate Reclamation, $1,155,802.58. Engineering estimate was $1,289,978.85. The county highway department recommends the low bid. Projects are scheduled to begin June 3, 2013 and be completed within 40 working days not counting seal coating time.

Consider an overweight permit request from Mathiowetz Construction for about 1,500 feet of CSAH 20 gravel, east of TH 4. The request is to allow hauling 4,000 cubic yards of sand from the Broich Pit on CSAH 10 to a grain bin construction site for Harvest Land Coop, according to the RBA. The County would reserve the right to withdraw the permit if road conditions deteriorate and would require Mathiowetz Construction to agreed to repair that part of the road to pre-existing conditions.

Hear a museum buildings update from Brown County Historical Society Director Bob Burgess and County Liaison member and Brown County Commissioner Dick Seeboth. Facilities improvement ideas include a study of the aging HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system and window retrofit.

Consider four Planning Commission recommendations. Permits are sought for business condominiums and an existing dog kennel in Cottonwood Township, and two livestock operations in Burnstown Township.

Consider a recommendation to appoint County Administrator Chuck Enter, Human Resources Director Mike Furth and County Commission Chairman Dennis Potter to a preliminary committee to determine membership of a Salary Administration Task Force that would complete a 15-county salary survey on 60 to 70 positions. A similar task force was created in 1995 and 2001.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m., Tuesday, April 16 in the courthouse commissioner's room.